What I Expect From The Next 'Super Smash Bros.'

With the release of the Nintendo NX coming in 2017, there has been rampant speculation about the new iterations of every Nintendo franchise. I'm especially excited for the Super Smash Bros. series because of how Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U was able to alleviate most of my problems with its predecessor, Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Brightening the color palette, removing tripping, adding "omega" Final Destination versions of each stage, and increasing the speed of the game were all welcome changes. However, with the departure of Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai, the prospect of a new game in the series is a little worrying. So, I thought I would explain to Nintendo what I expect from the next Super Smash Bros.

I want to see a "Game Of The Year" edition

The safest option for Nintendo is to create a "Game of the Year Edition" that includes all the downloadable content from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. However, a GOTY edition wouldn't appeal to me unless it included new exclusive features as well.

One feature that would make a GOTY edition worth picking up would be better net code that allows for more consistent online matches. An ELO rating system and matchmaking would also be nice additions to the online mode, especially for competitive players. An "omega" Battlefield version of each stage would also be appreciated, because it would add variety to the "For Glory" online mode.

Bringing back the tourney and rotation modes from Super Smash Bros. Melee would be a great addition because it would make playing with a group of people more convenient. Another useful feature would be the ability to save your custom settings as a default so you don't need to change them every time you play.

A sequel for Nintendo NX

If Nintendo were to create a sequel to the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, I don't think the company should change any of the game's mechanics; instead, I think Nintendo should focus on making the roster feel fresh. As far as new characters — since Nintendo doesn't make many new franchises — the only character I want from a new franchise is Inkling from Splatoon. However, it would be nice to see more characters from the Star Fox, Mother, and Metroid franchises because they are underrepresented in the Super Smash Bros. series.

Aside from new characters, I think reinventing the characters that are already staples of the Super Smash Bros. series would make the game feel fresher. Ganondorf, for example, could be changed into a completely new character instead of being a (slower) clone of Captain Falcon. Every reinvented character could also visually and mechanically draw inspiration from their most recent game to further separate this character roster from the previous one.

Keeping things competitive

Whether the new Super Smash Bros. ends up being a GOTY edition or a sequel, I hope it takes the competitive scene into consideration during its development. Super Smash Bros. Brawl purposely tried to alienate the competitive community, and fans were so dissatisfied with it that they created an extensive mod to improve the game.

It still baffles me that Nintendo hasn't released a high-definition version of Super Smash Bros. Melee with online play to capitalize on the competitive scene. The balance patches in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U were a step in the right direction but Nintendo still needs to do more to support the Super Smash Bros. competitive scene.